Harmony Town—a beautiful name for a place that is anything but. In reality, it is one of the most corrupt and wretched towns in existence. For decades, it has been ruled by the infamous Vela family, who exploit the town's resources and its people, strangling any chance of progress or prosperity in favor of maintaining their luxurious lifestyle and absolute control.
Currently, the town is in the grip of the Vela brothers: Iván, Francisco, and Antonio—the most ruthless members the dynasty has ever produced. Known as "The Three Pillars of Harmony," they claim to be the only ones capable of keeping the town in balance and, as they say, in "harmony". But in just a few moments, the three pillars will become two. And the so-called balance of Harmony Town will come crumbling down.
CHAPTER 10
THE NIGHT IVÁN VELA DIED
It is a cold, rainy Saturday night in Harmony Town. Most of the people are asleep, while others indulge in the lively atmosphere of one of the town's most prestigious bars. Among them is Iván Vela, the youngest of the Vela brothers and the owner of the only bank in town, where he amasses his ill-gotten fortune. After a long night of expensive liquor and beautiful women, Iván decides he's had enough. He grabs a bottle of the most expensive whiskey—without paying, of course—kisses his mistresses goodbye, and heads home.
As he staggers through the town, drinking and singing off-key, he revels in his privileged existence. Along the way, he mocks and laughs at the commoners huddled in the town plaza, seeking shelter from the rain with their cheap beer. They loathe him, and he knows it—but he doesn't care. Iván Vela is untouchable. No one in their right mind would dare challenge one of the Three Pillars.
Then, something catches his eye.
Beneath the sprawling branches of an old tree stands a lone figure—a woman. She is stunning. Long, messy blonde hair, striking green eyes, and a voluptuous figure, barely concealed by a soaked white camisole that clings to her curves. Without a doubt, she is the most beautiful woman Iván has ever seen.
Sloppily, he smooths his hair, straightens his shirt, adjusts his pants, and throws on his coat. A man of his stature must always look presentable for such an exquisite beauty.
—Cold night, isn't it? —Iván smirks.
—It is —the woman replies softly.
—Tell me, what is a lovely lady like yourself doing out here all alone?
—I was looking for my good-for-nothing drunk husband, but I couldn't find him. I stormed out of my house in frustration, not even realizing I was still in my nightgown. And then, of course, it started raining, leaving me completely soaked.
—What a shame, my dear. I must say, your husband sounds like a complete fool.
—*giggles* You're right.
She steps closer, resting a delicate hand on his chest.
—I suppose I just wasn't lucky enough to find a good man like you, Iván Vela.
—Oh, so you know me —He grins smugly.
—Who doesn't? You're Iván Vela—one of the Three Pillars of Harmony, one of the most powerful men in the region. I must say, I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity to meet you.
—Please, you flatter me —He chuckles, slightly blushing.
The woman shivers and crosses her arms, visibly cold.
—I'm freezing. I'm such an idiot.
—Oh, no, no. Don't worry. Here, take my coat —He drapes his expensive coat over her shoulders.
—You're such a gentleman.
—It's the least I can do. I would invite you to my house, but it's still quite far. And my wife… well, she wouldn't be too pleased.
She steps even closer, embracing him tightly, pressing her body against his.
—It's okay —she whispers —, I already have what I need right here
For most men, a mysterious, enchanting woman appearing out of nowhere on a rainy night would be a glaring red flag. But not for Iván Vela. His ego is far too large. He is too used to getting whatever woman he desires. Besides, he's far too drunk to question his luck.
—Come —the woman coos —, Let's get out of the rain.
She leads him into a dark alley, and there, their passion ignites. Iván kisses and gropes her with fervor. She moans softly, urging him on.
—I'm going to give you something unforgettable —Iván breathes.
—I'm waiting —she purrs, flashing a sly smile.
His hands wander beneath her camisole, caressing her leg—
And that's when he feels it.
Nothing.
Where her other leg should be, there is only empty space.
Iván freezes, his face draining of color. He shoves her away.
—What's wrong? —she asks, her seductive smile twisting into something sinister.
—Y-You… you're the…! —he stammers, unable to form the words.
—I'm what? —she cocks her head, her grin widening grotesquely—You promised me something, didn't you?
The drunken haze fades as sheer terror grips him. His mind flashes back a few minutes ago. When she led him into the alley, she wasn't walking—she was hopping.
A single-legged woman.
—THE PATASOLA! —Iván shrieks.
—I HATE THAT NAME! —the creature screeches.
Iván turns and runs, his drunken stupor replaced by primal fear. He stumbles, falls, scrambles to his feet, and flees for his life.
But just as he reaches the street—
A clawed hand latches onto his leg.
With one violent motion, the Patasola rips it clean off.
Iván howls in agony, his body collapsing. Blood pools around him, but desperation fuels him. He starts hopping away, mirroring the monster that pursues him.
He reaches the plaza and spots two men—the same commoners he had mocked minutes earlier.
—HELP! PLEASE! HELP ME!
—Wait… is that Iván Vela? —one of them asks.
—Looks like he's in trouble —the other notes.
—THE PATASOLA! SHE'S AFTER ME!
One man moves to help him, but the other stops him.
— Wait. You remember how he treated us earlier?
Iván recognizes them, his arrogance melting into desperate pleading.
—PLEASE! I'LL GIVE YOU MONEY, ANYTHING! JUST SAVE ME!
The men exchange glances.
—You know what? Fuck you, Vela.
—Yeah. Save yourself.
—NO! WAIT! PLEASE—AGH!!
Iván can't finish his sentence when the Patasola drags him once more into the dark alley. The terrified men, who just saw what happened, flee from that place while they listen the screams of Iván and the sounds of flesh and bones being tearing apart. Sounds that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
After a few minutes, everything is silence once again except for the sound of the heavy rain that washes away the blood from the alley, leaving behind nothing that a pulp of undistinguishable remains of what a moments ago, was the cruel and hated Iván Vela.
NEXT: THE PATASOLA ARC…